Dry poses bushfire risk

FIREFIGHTERS in Toowoomba and surrounding districts are preparing for the worst this bushfire season.

Queensland Fire and Rescue area director Bruce Smith said extremely dry conditions in most of the region could cause an emergency similar to the bushfires of 2002.

"It may happen again. I can't say that it won't," Mr Smith said.

"Based on previous years, we're gearing up for a bad one."

Areas identified as most at risk included bushland along the Toowoomba escarpment, near Picnic Point, below Skyline Terrace, Redwood Park in the Gatton Shire and at Tara.

Mr Smith said the QFRS planned to perform controlled burning in these areas when the weather conditions were more favourable.

"We're working with the Toowoomba, Crows Nest and Gatton Shire councils to identify the problem areas," Mr Smith said. "Council has put a lot of access roads into those areas we didn't have access to previously."

The QFRS also has access to an air operation wing from Brisbane, which can arrive at the scene of a fire to assist ground crews within 35 minutes.

Last week's fires near Postman's Ridge and Biddeston were just a small taste of what may be in store for firefighters this season.